Trailers for video games serve as a powerful marketing tool, possessing the unique ability to generate immense excitement among players. However, they can also lead to significant disappointments. Many of these promotional videos portray visually stunning graphics and exhilarating gameplay that ultimately do not reflect the final product, resulting in gamers feeling misled.
Historically, several highly anticipated games have released trailers that established unrealistic expectations, only to underdeliver upon launch. This article delves into a selection of titles that struggled to meet the standards set by their trailers, highlighting the gap between promise and reality. Note that some entries may contain minor spoilers related to the games discussed.
10 The Day Before
The Lie After
When the trailer for The Day Before was released, it captured considerable attention, promising an MMORPG experience reminiscent of The Last of Us. The promotional content showcased impressive graphics, exciting gameplay, and an overall engaging setting similar to The Division.
However, the actual launch revealed a very different reality: clunky controls, subpar graphics, and numerous bugs plagued the gameplay. Fans who eagerly anticipated this title were instead met with an experience that felt incomplete and far from what was originally showcased. Interestingly, this title held the position of Steam’s most wish-listed game, adding an ironic twist to its disappointing launch.
9 Final Fantasy 15
Oh, What Could’ve Been
Final Fantasy 15 elicited a bittersweet reaction from fans who had high hopes following its trailers. Many aspects demonstrated in these early visuals—including stunning locations and engaging battles—did not translate into the final version of the game. Crucial scenes were omitted, leading to inconsistencies within the narrative that left players confused.
Fans anticipated exploring expansive cities and engaging in spectacular battles featuring Leviathan, yet neither experience was present as advertised. The game experienced significant development challenges, further clouding what could have been an extraordinary title. Many still ponder what Final Fantasy 15 might have been had it adhered to its original vision.
8 Tom Clancy’s The Division
Immersion Removed
The Division piqued player interest with its captivating promotional materials, yet the final game felt like a letdown. Ubisoft’s notorious graphic downgrades became apparent, in tandem with a diluted story that lacked the engaging plot promised in the trailers.
While the trailers hinted at dynamic combat scenarios, the reality was structured more like an MMO, where combat situations felt scripted rather than organic. Despite its player base finding entertainment within the game’s mechanics, many were disappointed when the experience fell short of the anticipated adventure portrayed in the trailers.
7 Dead Island
The Tone Was Lost in Translation
The original trailer for Dead Island brilliantly captured a family vacation turned nightmare, recounting the harrowing events in reverse. This unique storytelling method created expectations of a somber and intense survival horror experience.
However, the final release skewed heavily toward humor, focusing on melee combat and light-hearted elements reminiscent of Dead Rising, rather than delivering the terrifying narrative promised in the trailer. While not a bad game by any means, it distinctly differed from the dark atmosphere anticipated based on the promotional footage.
6 Watch Dogs
We Can Forgive, But Never Forget
The Watch Dogs trailer remains notorious for its striking deception. While the game itself received decent reviews, it fell short of the impressive visual standards suggested by its promotional materials.
Many players noted a significant downgrade in graphics, particularly when comparing the final version to the one promised in the trailers. Even aspects like gunplay and animations did not match the expectations set before launch, leading to a feeling of disappointment.
Although the game ultimately delivered a satisfying open-world shooting experience, it was a far cry from the groundbreaking adventure players had envisioned.
5 Fallout 76
It Just Works
Fallout 76 had the potential to be a compelling addition to the franchise, especially with its multiplayer twist. However, the initial reveal did little to prepare players for the troubled state of the game upon release.
Released two years after Fallout 4, this new installment suffered from graphics that felt outdated and disappointing. The celebrated lighting effects seen in the promotional material did not materialize in the final product, which lacked the richness typically associated with previous games in the series.
Promising a classic Fallout experience with online components, the absence of NPCs in the game created disillusionment among players, as they were replaced by audio logs and robots. This glaring omission prompted the developers to eventually release updates to address player concerns, and while the game has since improved significantly, its initial launch remains one of the most criticized in gaming history.
4 The Last of Us Part 2
We Wanted Joel
The promotional material for The Last of Us Part 2 misled audiences in significant ways, particularly regarding character appearances. Many trailers featured Joel prominently, leading players to believe he would play a major role in the story.
In reality, Joel’s presence was limited to early game moments, with his character eliminated shortly after the start. The trailers hid this shocking twist, which sparked outrage among fans and resulted in serious backlash against Naughty Dog for the perceived false advertising.
The desire for a Joel-centric story was evident, and many players felt that the emotional impact would have resonated more deeply had the trailers delivered an authentic representation of the final plot.
3 BioShock Infinite
The Lie In The Sky
BioShock Infinite stands as a solid game; however, the initial excitement sparked by its trailers left fans craving more. The promotional content showcased numerous powers and abilities that simply did not make it to the final game leading to a sense of underwhelming disappointment.
Visual fidelity, while commendable, fell short of the trailer’s ambitious claims, and gameplay felt limited, lacking the variety initially promised. The restructured combat mechanics contributed further to the sense that a more layered experience was promised than what was delivered.
2 Fable
The Master Deceiver, Peter Molyneux
Fable carved a niche for itself as a classic title amongst fans, yet the hype generated from its initial trailers set bar high. The promises of impactful choices and consequences shaped the game’s identity, encouraging players to believe in a world that would evolve based on their decisions.
The reality was ultimately disappointing, as the final gameplay offered limited choices, and the consequence system felt underdeveloped. Despite this, Fable remained a cult favorite, albeit with a skeptical eye cast over future installments.
1 Too Human
What Could Have Been
Too Human was once heralded as a potential landmark title in the gaming industry, with trailers that hinted at groundbreaking graphics and engaging storytelling. Unfortunately, the final product proved to be a far cry from the excitement it built.
Lauded as a competitor to Bioware’s RPGs, the reality of Too Human featured unwieldy controls, lackluster visuals, and a convoluted narrative that baffled many players. What started as a promising adventure descended into one of gaming’s most notable disappointments.
Leave a Reply